STUART FAMILY, AUGUSTA CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA ARTICLES, LOT OF THREE, comprising a tooled leather key basket, a needlework sampler marked by Eleanor Stuart, September 2, 1792, and a leather valuables box with brass plaque engraved "Mrs. E. Steward [sic] / Staunton, Va". Together with an uncounted group of keys found in the key basket. Late 18th to mid 19th century. Sampler 10" x 16" sight.
Provenance: From the collection of H. C. Stuart and Emily Cochran, Stuart House, Staunton, VA. Property descended in the family of Archibald Stuart (1757-1832).
Catalogue Note: The present lot has a tradition of ownership by Eleanor Briscoe Stuart (1768-1858), wife of Archibald Stuart (1757-1832) of Staunton, VA.
The key basket is stamped for David Andrew Brown Sr. (1815-1884) and John H. Dickerson, both saddle and harness makers working in Richmond, VA from the 1850s to early 1900s. The Staunton (VA) Spectator & Vindicator newspaper ran several advertisements for John H. Dickerson, Saddle and Harness Manufacturer in 1857. This is how the Stuart family would have been aware of the company and acquired this key basket.

Basket with piece broken out of one end but present; sampler with fading and small holes/repairs; box with detached top handle, losses to leather, and currently locked.